Driving Economic Growth: How Lisa Dziekan and Clayco Are Shaping Illinois’ Future
When it comes to economic development in Illinois, few people bring the passion, experience, and insight that Lisa Dziekan does. With a career spanning public and private sectors, Lisa has made it her mission to connect communities with investment opportunities that drive growth—and she’s been doing it in Chicagoland and across the Midwest for most of her professional life.
From Detroit to Chicago: A Career in Economic Development
Lisa grew up in suburban Detroit as one of five girls, learning early the value of hard work and perseverance. After college, she moved to Chicago, drawn by the city’s unique combination of a strong professional network and global reach. With an undergraduate degree in Marketing and Economics and a master’s in Urban Planning and Public Affairs from UIC, Lisa was well-prepared to take on projects that shape communities and foster economic opportunity.
A fun fact about Lisa? She once worked as the Easter Bunny—bringing joy to kids while honing skills that would later translate into public engagement and community building.
Clayco: Tackling Complex Projects Across Sectors
At Clayco, Lisa works across Chicagoland, Illinois, and the broader Midwest, often traveling to communities to understand their unique opportunities and challenges. Based in the historic Old Jeweler’s Building in downtown Chicago, Clayco is a 40-year-old, 3,800-employee company with offices across the U.S.
Clayco is an integrated real estate powerhouse with multiple arms:
Design & Architecture: Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC)
Development: CRG
Construction: Clayco General Contracting
Specialized Projects: Including Clayco Compute for data centers
Lisa highlights that no two days at Clayco are alike. Her role involves project oversight, meetings with community stakeholders, and ensuring that each development aligns with broader economic goals. Clayco thrives on complex, high-impact projects—from advanced manufacturing and logistics to residential, healthcare, and mission-critical facilities.
Economic Development in Action: The Rivian Supplier Park
One of Lisa’s most exciting projects is the Rivian Supplier Park in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Clayco played a key role in building the park and supporting Rivian’s growth, which has expanded from 300 employees to over 8,000 in just a few years.
“The ripple effect is incredible,” Lisa notes. “It’s not just jobs. It’s housing, local businesses, hotels, and the overall quality of life for the community.”
Illinois’ proactive approach to economic development—like the Vetted Sites Program, which ensures ready-to-build locations—has made it easier for companies like Rivian to invest locally, generating long-term benefits for the region.
Building the Next Economic Anchors
Lisa’s work doesn’t stop with Rivian. She’s also involved in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, transforming a former US Steel site into a 400-acre hub for innovation. Anchored by companies like PsiQuantum and supported by university and government partnerships, this project exemplifies how strategic investments can create new economic ecosystems.
Bringing the Midwest Experience to Life
For Lisa, showing off Illinois—and especially Chicago—is about more than talking points. It’s about immersing investors, site selectors, and business leaders in the local experience: walking along the Riverwalk, exploring the city’s architecture, and connecting with other C-suite executives to see the talent pipeline firsthand.
“The Midwest is welcoming,” Lisa says. “You rarely get 20-25 people coming together to show you how they can work with you and support your growth. That’s what makes Illinois special.”
Looking Ahead: Housing and Talent
Lisa emphasizes that sustainable economic growth requires more than just jobs—it requires housing and community development. As she puts it, “A home is where a job goes to sleep at night.” Connecting talent, housing, and investment is critical for Illinois to maintain its competitive edge, ensuring that the workforce has a place to live near the opportunities being created.